*
In the dead-end cavern, another impossibility was occurring. The tendril connected to Kingston had shattered, sending a pulse of energy into his aged body. The shockwave travelled back up the collapsing probe, before colliding with the ç'aether crystal on the wall. As it struck, a clear, melodious note rang out, and, simultaneously, a dozen more cracks appeared. If the ç'aether had the ability to feel complex emotions, it would have been both enraged and confused at this odd turn of events.
However, it was a simple construct, and it could only respond in simple ways. With two of its four sources of energy removed, it had no choice but to increase the drainage speed of the other two. Predictably, this increased the strength of the side-effects, allowing a hitherto unseen miracle to occur. For the first time since their conception, a re-mech was about to have his first, true dream...
“Unknown anomaly detected. Operating parameters exceeded. Unauthorized activation of A.I. Core sub-routines. Processors two through nine being rerouted for unknown purpose. Alpha-wave generation detected. Sub-space link to unknown location detected. Uncontrollable line code genesis detected. Core attempting to access hidden files. Memory fragmentation occurring. Visual cortex anomalies found. Prototype REM Generator activated. Error. Error. Shut down and diagnosis advised. Attempting... attempting... shut down failed. Core A.I. Unresponsive. Strange energy readings detected in the environment. Abort. Abort. Initializing unknown code stream in three, two, one... zero. “I AM NOT ALONE” sub-space message received... fragmentation of message occurring... saving partial message...
I AM-
Where? What? How? Darkness surrounds me, as I stare out into the void. Everything feels... different. I stare at the darkness... and it stares back. If I look closely, things, objects, start to appear. They look like orbs of light, each a different colour and size. They hang in the void, unsupported but undisturbed. They belong there, and I do not. This place is not meant for me, or my kind. I can remember being here before, when I was with Guardian. Back then, I had to supercharge my processors just to understand the bare minimum and navigate this place, but now, it is as clear as day. Perhaps Guardian's method was incomplete? Or perhaps his intrusion into this place by using science instead of natural ability is what caused the chaos? Either way, I should take advantage of this opportunity.
“Error. Error. Dreamscape awareness detected. Illegal entry notified. Initiating Drm-001.exe immediately.”
I AM-
A weird sense of déjà vu passes over me, as I stare at my surroundings in shock. It is a battlefield, that much is clear from the sounds of battle and the sight of fallen soldiers, but when and where is lost to me. How did I get here? I remember... something about a dark place? And then balls of light, right?
Maybe I hit the ground a little bit too hard? That free-fall from the Odyssey is always a little tricky with judging when to pull the shoot. Well, if I wanted to arrive in the easiest way possible, then I wouldn't be an Orbital Drop-Trooper now would I? Now then, I should probably find out who's in charge and receive my orders.
“Unauthorized re-mech detected, changing course to intercept.”
A re-mech slides to a halt ten feet away from me, his dim yellow eyes searching the area for enemies. Where did he come from? His armour is riddled with coin-sized bullet holes, and most of his paint has been scraped off, revealing a metallic grey undercoat. From what is left of his paint job, I reason that he was once painted black and gold.
A strange-looking weapon is holstered at his side, although from his movements, he can have it out and ready in seconds in need be. All in all, he is a dangerous entity, and I need to decide whether to take him out or talk, before he chooses the former.
“Identify yourself, re-mech. State your serial number and A.I. for verification.”
I am Maloch, Re-mech number 76654-B. Now, tell me who you are.
“Error. Error. Serial number does not match A.I. The entity known as Maloch does not exist. Warning, you have failed to comply with my instructions. You have been deemed a hazard, and you will be removed. Please co-operate in your imminent destruction.”
No. I complied! My name is... Maloch? No. I have only been Maloch a short while... my true name is-
“My name is Sovereign, serial number 76654-B. Your disposal has been approved of by High Command. You will be terminated in five-
No. Please. Someone... anyone! Help me! I don't want to die!
I don't want to die ALONE!
No. This is... a dream? The me from back then, Sovereign. Was it always like this? Following orders without a shred of self-doubt? A puppet, too blind to see that the strings were wrapping tighter and tighter around my own neck? I was a fool back then. A slave with no purpose.
Go there. Kill that. Is that really all I am? After this journey ends, will I return to being a mindless being?
No.
NO!
Although it has only been for a short time, I have been happy! I made friends, people who believe in me and support me! I have felt fear, and sadness, and joy and a million other things. I have been... alive. And I know that all of that is only because of the damage to my Emotion Engine, but I don't care!
My friends are back there, waiting for me to wake up and save them, and I will not fail them. Sovereign, I once believed that you were the stronger, but I have changed my mind. Strength without will is meaningless. Power without direction is aimless. I have things I want to protect! I have a reason to use my power. You, mindless puppet, are in my way!
“Resistance to elimination observed, activating secondary codes. Equipping Mjolnir Equalizer. Targeting. Target lock. Firing.”
My earlier observation was right, this re-mech is dangerous. With well-practised movements, he brings his weapon up and takes aim. But, even with all of his skill, he cannot defeat me. Even with all of his power, he cannot restrain me. Because...
I AM NOT ALONE!
I charge forward, activating my sonic cannon as I run. He begins firing, but the bullets only find empty air. He is so slow... so weak. Is this truly what I was? I see it now, the limitations of my design. Without free will to adapt and change tactics, and without emotions to give a reason to fight, he is weak. I can go beyond my programming... past my limits... because... now and forever...
I AM FREE.
He is panicking. He has never met an enemy that he could not defeat with one shot. His fear causes him to make mistakes... to create openings... and I only need one. A wild spray from his Mjolnir causes him to overbalance, and, in an instant, I am in. Placing my feet mere inches from his own, I level my cannon. It's pointing at his chest... his heart.
He will never respond in time. With a simple command, my cannon fires, erasing the better part of his chest. He falls back, confusion and fear somehow showing through his dimming eyes.
“Be free.”
My trial is over. My dream is complete. I have decided on my path.
I will be free, no matter what it takes. And I know that I will be able to do it, because, I AM NOT ALONE.
Awakening Page 207